Chapter 779 Old Master Fang's Wish "At least... they should have a decent place to lie down, with their names engraved on a tombstone so that future generations will know who they are, who they fought for, and who they shed blood for."
He shook his head, his gray hair appearing particularly fragile in the dim light: "But this world is too vast, my strength alone... is truly limited. I've searched several times, but the clues have dried up, and the locations have changed... Gradually, this matter has become a thorn in my side."
"Grandpa, I will definitely do this, and I must do it."
"Heroes should not be forgotten, but they should be found their way home. As long as there is a single clue, as long as there is a single name, we will find a way to find them. I will check the archives, I will visit people, I will inquire in their hometowns. If we can find their remains, we will move them back and give them a proper burial. If we do find them, we will erect a monument for them in their hometown or the place where they sacrificed their lives, and build a martyrs' cemetery that belongs to our company, so that their names can be engraved on it with dignity."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Fang nodded in relief.
He then drifted off to sleep, and Lu Qingyang carried him down on his back.
After settling his grandfather in, Lu Qingyang told his father about it.
“Grandpa is right. We didn’t have the means before, but now that we do, we must find homes for the martyrs, starting with those in this book.”
Fang Zhongwen took the heavy notebook, his fingertips brushing against the yellowed pages and the blurred penmanship, remaining silent for a long time. In the dim light of the attic, the 꼇 character between his brows appeared particularly deep.
"Your grandfather had two things on his mind throughout his life: one was our family, and the other... was these old brothers who couldn't come back."
He gently stroked the place of origin marked next to a name with a red 꽗 drawn on it. "In the past, during those turbulent times, we really didn't have the ability... Now, it's time."
Fang Zhongwen and Lu Qingyang talked late into the night in the study.
"This matter must be handled officially and legitimately to ensure its longevity and to allow those old brothers to truly receive the honor and resettlement they deserve. Tomorrow I will go to the military base, find the old leader, and formally submit a report, explaining the cause and effect of this matter, especially your grandfather's wishes and the importance of this list, to the higher authorities in detail, and strive to have the organization take the lead."
“Once the higher-ups give their approval and the project is approved, there are established procedures and channels for contacting local civil affairs departments, verifying information, and coordinating resettlement locations. This is much more reliable and effective than us asking around haphazardly on our own.”
Lu Qingyang nodded in agreement: "Dad, you've thought it through thoroughly. It's most appropriate for you to apply."
"As for funding, even if the project is approved from above, the funding process is slow and the amount is limited."
Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Qingyang said, "Don't worry about the money. Xinweiju's revenue is stable now, and the pharmaceutical factories in Guangzhou and Beijing have also started to make a profit. The clothing store is also doing well. Supporting this expense is no problem. This is what our family should do, and it's also my way of doing what I can for Grandpa and for those martyrs."
Fang Zhongwen looked at his son, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but in the end he could only say, "Okay, then let's split up and go our separate ways."
The higher authorities attached great importance to this matter and, after a special meeting, officially approved it: "Support the work of searching for and burying martyrs of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and recognize it as an important project for patriotic education and support for the military and their families."
What's even more encouraging is that the higher authorities decided to set up a temporary office for the search and resettlement of martyrs of the War of Resistance against Japan under the civil affairs department, headed by a highly respected retired cadre, with Fang Zhongwen serving as an advisor to coordinate specific matters.
The opening of official channels means that it is legitimate and justifiable.
This office immediately gained the power to access relevant files and send letters to civil affairs departments in various regions for assistance, making it far more efficient than any individual could do.
At the same time, the government also allocated a special start-up fund, although the amount was limited, mainly for office use, basic travel expenses and file access.
Upon receiving the news, Lu Qingyang immediately took action.
He personally met with the head of the office and expressed his attitude: "Comrade, this is my grandfather's wish, and also that of a veteran. The government's intervention has given us direction and recognition, and we, as his family, must also do our best."
He immediately promised to establish a special fund, with an initial injection of funds far exceeding government appropriations, mainly for the following purposes:
Travel allowances for in-depth investigations, especially for expenses to remote areas.
The specific costs for the identification, relocation, and burial of remains are determined to ensure that every fallen soldier found can "return home" with dignity.
We will extend our condolences to the surviving families of martyrs, and if we find that they are experiencing financial difficulties, we will provide them with appropriate financial assistance.
Supplementary funds for later erection of monuments and construction of memorial facilities.
...
With the meticulously prepared traditional Chinese medicine by Chen Mo and the patient companionship of the whole family day after day, Grandpa Fang's condition began to improve.
The bitter medicine no longer requires coaxing and cajoling. Although it still needs to be mixed with a little honey, he will pick it up himself, frown, and gulp it down as if he has completed an important task.
Even more encouragingly, his periods of lucidity have significantly increased.
Sometimes, when he sits in the courtyard basking in the afternoon sun, he will suddenly point to the old radio and say to the old woman on the other side, "Old woman, turn up the volume of 'Shajiabang' for me."
When Old Mrs. Fang heard the familiar voice of "old woman," she trembled slightly, her eyes immediately welling up with tears. She hurriedly went to tune the radio, but managed to suppress the smile on her lips.
His memory was like land nourished by spring rain, beginning to sprout new green shoots.
One day, when Lu Qingyang came home from get off work, the old man looked at him and clearly called out his name: "Qingyang is back."
Although it was just a simple sentence, it left Lu Qingyang stunned, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He could even vaguely recall some recent events. He would ask, "Zhongwen went to that... office today, did you hear anything?"
This refers to the progress in the search for martyrs.
When Lu Qingyang showed him a photo of a martyr's relative that he had just verified, he stared at it for a long time, then murmured, "He looks just like him, a carbon copy of his father..."
The worry on Grandma Fang's face gradually disappeared, and she began to feel more at ease to study medicinal cuisine with Ding Panyun, thinking of ways to nourish the old man's body.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
